by Avi
8. It should be noted that Philip Malloy was reported to show inappropriate behavior in his regular English classes with Miss Narwin.
* * *
11:15 A.M.
Conversation between Dr. Gertrude Doane and Ken Barchet
DR. DOANE: Ken, I’m trying to understand what happened there. That morning. Is this clear?
KEN BARCHET: Yes.
DR. DOANE: And you were with him. I hope you can speak freely. I’m just trying to work it out.
KEN BARCHET: Sure.
DR. DOANE: So, in your view—what occurred?
KEN BARCHET: Well, you know, the tape, the music went on—
DR. DOANE: Which day was this?
KEN BARCHET: Wednesday.
DR. DOANE: Okay. Wednesday. Go on.
KEN BARCHET: Right. The music went on. And we were just standing there. We’re supposed to. And the next thing, Miss Narwin was telling Philip to stop.
DR. DOANE: Stop what?
KEN BARCHET: I’m not sure. The newspaper said singing.
DR. DOANE: What about the other days?
KEN BARCHET: You know, he was, again, sort of, I guess, singing.
DR. DOANE: In what way?
KEN BARCHET: Just singing.
DR. DOANE: Loudly?
KEN BARCHET: Well, not really.
DR. DOANE: But you heard him?
KEN BARCHET: I guess.
DR. DOANE: How close to Philip do you sit?
KEN BARCHET: ’Cross the room.
DR. DOANE: So, loudly enough for you to hear?
KEN BARCHET: Well …
DR. DOANE: Then what happened?
KEN BARCHET: Miss Narwin got mad.
DR. DOANE: Why?
KEN BARCHET: Well, you know, like you said, Philip was singing. And I guess we’re not supposed to.
DR. DOANE: Did Philip stop?
KEN BARCHET: Yeah. When she told him to get out.
DR. DOANE: Not before?
KEN BARCHET: No.
DR. DOANE: What did the class do?
KEN BARCHET: I wasn’t paying attention.
11:45 A.M.
Phone Conversation from Harrison High School Pay Phone between Ken Barchet and Philip Malloy
KEN BARCHET: Hey, man, what’s happening?
PHILIP MALLOY: Nothing. It’s boring. What’s happening there?
KEN BARCHET: Just spoke to Doane.
PHILIP MALLOY: The principal?
KEN BARCHET: Yeah.
PHILIP MALLOY: How come?
KEN BARCHET: She called me in to find out what happened.
PHILIP MALLOY: What you tell her?
KEN BARCHET: What happened. The whole thing. Lot of people talking about it. You know, with the newspaper and all.
PHILIP MALLOY: Yeah, but what did you tell her?
KEN BARCHET: I thought I should tell her how funny it was.
PHILIP MALLOY: Come on! What did you tell her?
KEN BARCHET: Nothing. I mean, it wasn’t anything. I don’t know why they’re making a fuss about it.
PHILIP MALLOY: I still have English with her, but they switched me back to Lunser’s homeroom.
KEN BARCHET: He’s okay. Tells good jokes. Someone told me he has a collection of joke books. That’s where he gets all those one-liners.
PHILIP MALLOY: That true?
KEN BARCHET: Nick told me. We going to work out this afternoon?
PHILIP MALLOY: Yeah.
KEN BARCHET: Catch you later.
11:50 A.M.
Conversation between Dr. Gertrude Doane and Cynthia Gambia, Student
DR. DOANE: Cynthia, what I’m trying to do is understand what happened in Miss Narwin’s homeroom class. With Philip Malloy. When these incidents occurred. I hope you can tell me exactly what you saw. I’m trying to work it out.
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: Yes. I understand. I wasn’t paying much attention.
DR. DOANE: That’s all right. Go on. Tell me what happened as you saw it.
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: Well, during “The Star-Spangled Banner”—when the tape went on—Philip started to hum.
DR. DOANE: Hum?
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: I think so.
DR. DOANE: Not sing?
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: I’m not sure. It could have been. I wasn’t paying attention. Not at first. Not the first time.
DR. DOANE: And then?
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: Miss Narwin asked him to leave.
DR. DOANE: Which days were these?
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: All three.
DR. DOANE: Was Philip causing a disturbance?
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: Well, I heard him. Sort of. I mean, it wasn’t loud or anything. Not like the paper said. But he wouldn’t stop. And she did ask him. I guess that was the disturbance.
DR. DOANE: So he wasn’t loud.
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: Maybe the last time.
DR. DOANE: Very loud?
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: Well, loud.
DR. DOANE: What day was that?
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: Ah … Tuesday. Or Thursday. I’m not sure.
DR. DOANE: What did the other students do?
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: Nothing. I don’t think they knew anything was going to happen. If they did, they would have watched.
DR. DOANE: Do you have any idea why he—Philip—did this?
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: No.
DR. DOANE: Did you want to add anything else?
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: No. I guess not. I mean, he was being sort of rude.
DR. DOANE: Philip?
CYNTHIA GAMBIA: Miss Narwin did ask him to stop. You’re supposed to be quiet. Everybody says that’s the rule. He certainly wasn’t. She’s a fair teacher. All the kids say so.
12:30 P.M.
From a Speech Delivered by Ted Griffen to a Lunch Meeting of the Harrison Rotary Club
MR. GRIFFEN: … so what I will try to do—if elected as a member of the Harrison School Board—is not just keep the cost of education down to a reasonable level—I’m talking here of keeping our taxes down—I will work with the rest of the board to support basic American values. But let me tell you good people—and I am sure I speak for you too—I am shocked that a Harrison student should be expelled from one of our schools simply because he desires to sing the national anthem. Yes, my friends, it is true. It has happened here. Here—in yesterday’s Record is the full story. Shocking. What I say is—most emphatically—what is the point of installing computers—which my generation never seemed to need—and at great cost—if our young people are not allowed to practice the elemental values of American patriotism? Is that the way we budget our education dollars?
12:50 P.M.
Conversation between Dr. Gertrude Doane and Allison Doresett
DR. DOANE: Allison, I’m working hard to understand what happened in Miss Narwin’s class. The incident with Philip Malloy.
ALLISON DORESETT: I know. Lot of kids are talking about it.
DR. DOANE: What are they saying?
ALLISON DORESETT: About how big a thing it is.
DR. DOANE: Do you think it is?
ALLISON DORESETT: I don’t know. Maybe. If they pay all that attention. I mean, someone said the TV would be here.
DR. DOANE: I hope not. Now, as I understand it, you are in Miss Narwin’s homeroom class.
ALLISON DORESETT: I have English with her too.
DR. DOANE: I’m talking about homeroom.
ALLISON DORESETT: I have her.
DR. DOANE: So you were there all three times?
ALLISON DORESETT: Uh-huh.
DR. DOANE: Tell me what you saw.
ALLISON DORESETT: Well, Philip, he doesn’t like Miss Narwin.
DR. DOANE: He doesn’t?
ALLISON DORESETT: I don’t think so.
DR. DOANE: Just think? Do you know why?
ALLISON DORESETT: It’s what people are saying. In class—English class—he just sits there, you know, like he’s bored and can’t stand anything she says. It’s just the way he looks. On his face. You know. But then he suddenly makes some remark,
a joke or something. Something funny.
DR. DOANE: Do you think this has anything to do with what happened?
ALLISON DORESETT: Well, it was so obvious he was trying to get at her.
DR. DOANE: What do you mean?
ALLISON DORESETT: Get her mad.
DR. DOANE: Because he doesn’t like her?
ALLISON DORESETT: He’s been so moody lately. Those times in homeroom—I think he was doing it to get Miss Narwin in trouble.
DR. DOANE: I wish you’d tell me more about that.
ALLISON DORESETT: Well, he’s been angry a lot lately. I go home on the same bus with him. The other day I—you know—tried to sit next to him. On the bus. He was looking all angry. I tried to talk to him.
DR. DOANE: And?
ALLISON DORESETT: He got all angry. Wouldn’t talk to me.
DR. DOANE: Do you know why?
ALLISON DORESETT: That’s the way he is.
DR. DOANE: Allison, I appreciate your help.
ALLISON DORESETT: Can I say something?
DR. DOANE: Of course.
ALLISON DORESETT: I like Miss Narwin.
DR. DOANE: I’m glad. Your telling the truth can only help her.
1:30 P.M.
Rewritten by Dr. Gertrude Doane
* * *
TO: DR. A. SEYMOUR
FROM: DR. G. DOANE
RE: SUSPENSION OF PHILIP MALLOY
1. Each and every morning—during homeroom period—the national anthem is played over the high school announcement system.
2. At such times all students are asked, to quote the standard district guide, “Please all rise and stand at respectful, silent attention….” At no time in the history of this procedure has any disturbance been recorded.
3. On March 28, March 29, and March 30, Philip Malloy deliberately caused a disturbance in his homeroom class (Margaret Narwin, teacher) by singing the national anthem in a loud, raucous, disrespectful fashion, thereby drawing attention to himself.
4. When requested by Miss Narwin—on the first occasion—to cease, Philip Malloy did so, albeit reluctantly. On the second and third occasions, he repeated his disrespectful behavior, and when he refused to stop, he was sent—standard procedure—to Assistant Principal Dr. Joseph Palleni for discipline.
5. Philip Malloy did not dispute the above facts.
6. A random selection of students—who were in the classroom at the time—confirms these events. Indeed, there is evidence that Philip Malloy’s acts were indicative of some personal animosity he feels toward the homeroom teacher, Miss Narwin. His rudeness was also on display in the English classes he had with her. His grade there indicates inferior work.
7. On the third occurrence, Philip Malloy was asked 1) to promise not to show such a disrespectful attitude toward our national anthem and 2) to apologize to his teacher and his classmates for his behavior. He refused, choosing the option afforded him of suspension.
8. Dr. Palleni, following district guidelines approved by the Superintendent, therefore suspended Philip Malloy from class for two days in hopes that he would learn to show proper respect toward the national anthem, his school, his teacher, and his fellow students.
DR. GERTRUDE DOANE
Principal
* * *
2:22 P.M.
Telegram to Margaret Narwin Held by Harrison High School Office
TO: MARGARET NARWIN, HARRISON, NEW HAMPSHIRE, HIGH SCHOOL
FROM: YOUNG AMERICANS FOR AMERICA
On behalf of our membership we strongly condemn your suppression of patriotism in the American School System.
Sincerely,
JESSICA WITTINGTON, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Tampa, Florida
3:05 P.M.
Telegram Delivered to Philip Malloy
TO: PHILIP MALLOY
FROM: SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FREE SPEECH
We applaud your defense of the freedom of speech in a public arena. One is never too young to fight for our constitutional rights, which are under constant assault from right-wing forces. Stand firm. Stand tall. Please call upon us for active support.
HANK MORGAN
Chicago, Illinois
3:15 P.M.
Telegram Delivered to Dr. Gertrude Doane
TO: PRINCIPAL, HARRISON HIGH
People like Margaret Marwin should be kicked out of teaching.
CHARLES ELDERSON
Woodbank, North Carolina
3:30 P.M.
Written by Dr. Albert Seymour
* * *
TO: MRS. GLORIA HARLAND, CHAIRMAN, SCHOOL BOARD
FROM: DR. A. SEYMOUR
RE: SUSPENSION OF PHILIP MALLOY
1. It is the practice in all Harrison schools that each and every morning—during homeroom period—the national anthem is played over the announcement systems. It is part of our general ongoing program of support for traditional American values.
2. At such times all students are asked to “Please all rise and stand at respectful, silent attention….” In past years our desire for a dignified moment of patriotism has been firmly maintained. At no time in the history of this program has any disturbance been recorded.
3. On March 28, March 29, and March 30, Philip Malloy deliberately caused a disturbance in his homeroom class (Margaret Narwin, a teacher of twenty years’ standing) by singing the national anthem in a loud, raucous, disrespectful fashion, thereby drawing attention to himself and away from the words. There are strong indications that he was acting out some personal animosity toward the teacher in question for reasons unknown. His school performance has been inferior. (It has been suggested that there may be problems in the home arena. Please note, however, that the law requires schools to keep such personal information confidential.)
4. When requested by his teacher, Miss Narwin, on the first occasion to maintain a dignified response to the national anthem, Philip Malloy did so, though reluctantly. On the second and third occasions, he repeated his disrespectful acts, and when he refused to stop, he was—as a matter of course—sent to Assistant Principal Dr. Joseph Palleni for discipline.
5. Philip Malloy—when given the opportunity—did not dispute the above facts.
6. Students who were in the classroom at the time of the incidents confirm these events.
7. On the third occurrence, Philip Malloy was requested 1) to promise that he would show an attitude of respect toward our national anthem and 2) to apologize to his teacher and his classmates for his rude behavior. He refused, choosing the option of suspension himself.
8. Dr. Palleni, following district guidelines approved by the School Board, therefore suspended Philip Malloy from class for two days in hopes that he would learn to show proper respect toward the national anthem and his school, teacher, and fellow students.
DR. A. SEYMOUR
Superintendent of Schools
* * *
6:20 P.M.
Conversation between Philip Malloy’s Parents
MR. MALLOY: Hi! Where’s Philip?
MRS. MALLOY: He just got in. Washing up.
MR. MALLOY: People were talking about him today. Amazing how many folks saw that thing in the paper.
MRS. MALLOY: At my place too.
MR. MALLOY: Makes you feel good.
MRS. MALLOY: We should celebrate.
6:35 P.M.
Discussion between Philip Malloy and His Parents During Dinner
MR. MALLOY: Well, how do you feel?
PHILIP MALLOY: Okay.
MRS. MALLOY: You should be pleased with yourself.
MR. MALLOY: What do you think of that telegram?
PHILIP MALLOY: I don’t know. Who are they? I never heard of them before.
MR. MALLOY: They’ve heard of you. You’re famous.
PHILIP MALLOY: How?
MRS. MALLOY: In the news, wasn’t it?
PHILIP MALLOY: You think so?
MR. MALLOY: Sure. Just shows you. One person makes a difference. One person standing up for what he beli
eves in.
MRS. MALLOY: I’m just so glad it’s worked out all right. Aren’t you?
PHILIP MALLOY: I suppose.
MR. MALLOY: What’s the problem now?
PHILIP MALLOY: Be weird going back. What kids will say.
MR. MALLOY: They’ll be on your side. You said they all hated that woman. Just make sure you sing in the morning. People will look to that.
PHILIP MALLOY: I’ll be in Mr. Lunser’s class.
MR. MALLOY: You said he likes kids singing.
PHILIP MALLOY: Sort of.
MR. MALLOY: I think you should go over and speak to Ted Griffen too.
PHILIP MALLOY: Why?
MR. MALLOY: Someone at work heard him at some speech he gave—the school board thing—he mentioned this whole business….
PHILIP MALLOY: He did?
MRS. MALLOY: And he brought in that reporter.
MR. MALLOY: Come on, Philip, people are really on your side!
PHILIP MALLOY: I guess.
7:30 P.M.
From a Speech Delivered by Ted Griffen to a Meeting of the Harrison Chamber of Commerce
MR. GRIFFEN: Before I get into my formal speech, I’d like to lead off—put it right at the top of your thoughts—with something that has happened here in Harrison, something that has disturbed me greatly. I am a great believer in basic American values. And let me tell you good people—and I am sure I speak for you too—I am shocked that a Harrison student should be expelled from one of our schools because he desires to sing the national anthem. Yes, my friends, it is the truth. It has happened here. Here—in yesterday’s Record is the full story. Shocking. What I say is—most emphatically—what is the point of installing computers—which my generation never seemed to need—and at great cost—if our young people are not allowed to practice the elemental values of American patriotism? And to think—because this story—so I understand—this has been picked up by the national press—how shocking it is that this is the way our town of Harrison should come to be known. It should not be condoned!